Indexing device



May I6, 1950 M. D. TYLER 2,508,30

INDEXNG DEVICE Filed NOV. 23, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 16s 1950 M. D. TYLER 2,5%@

INDEXING DEVICE Filed Nov. 25, 1945 3 Sheecshee'h 2 112 Vez/enfer ferz'eaglef Patented May 16, 1950 UNITED STATES P..!'1`ENT QFFI CE My invention relates .tol controls onindex-ing .meansfor turning -a rotaryV member toplfdeten-Q minedstationsfof rotation selectively, ,and is ,directed especially to the `problem .ofindexing. sta. tions distributed overa renee.l covering `severalro.- tations of the rotarymember. For the purposeof disclosure the inventionwill be described vr.as `embodiedi-n a tuner 4for television receivers, M. receivers, and the like.v

Theioperating-.member .of a tuner of the lchar acter` here .involved has na .rangecfeyeral creyolu.- tions-.for` example, .a .range on the orderof 1,3600Q 0frotation, andmust .be accuratelypositioned at various predetermined points or.-sta'tions:i.n.,that rangeffor tuning the receiver .totherfrequencies ofwarious broadcasting transmitters.

Thezgeneral objectof; the present inventionis to provide aan automatic indexing. deviceaof .the `type known as `a ypushebutton control for tuning Asuch an :operating member 'o1-'tuner .to `selected. predetermined stations.

Oneproblem in the construction tof an auto.- matic -pushfbuttoncontrol .for `,tu-ning .is Yto .avoid excesslvetcomplexity inthe -strucl'fur-e anclmecha-A nism. A problem-that is often moretroublesome is to achieve desirable compactnessxinthe,sizeaof the automatic-control.. unit. Devices .heretofore proposed have vlceenlooth complicatedand unduly large.

Another object ofrnyinvention isto meetboth ofthese problems byprovidinga relatively. simple mechanism .that occupies .very little space.4 A feature .of the present invention that .isf new in. the artis vthe lreduction .in ,the `space .required by .a .control funitcompnisng vthirteenuor more push buttons tothe exceedingly,smalldimensions oie x .4 fx 6'?.

.Since sharp tuning. is .requiredithetuner must not onlybe `tuned to, .the various stationswith precision, butmust also be prevented .from driv-` ing-.oncreepng .when .set for .particulaiv-stations. Au'rther vobject ,oit ,my inventionis .-to. provide a poslnbutton controlthat .normallymaintains the tuoerlocked .at the selected-stationsin. a .positive manner that..pre.cludes any .drift .oncreeping,

whatsoever.

A push-button control must be set or;a :lius tedY for Whatever stations are selected for automatic tuning.: Usually the procedure-:ofsetting or resetting. the push-button .control requires.. such complicated manipulations, thatthe procedure can carriedy out only `Icy la `highly skilled tech nician. VVIt would. be. desirable .to so.v simplify. the

. clieblethe. average purchaser.to...adil1ststne-.pusn-loutton 55 line,...

setting and..resettingprocedure ras. t

7 claims... c1...1.9aea14g. f. 1,

control Without outside help, the purchaser being ireef to change -t'he :selected stations at will.y It is .onefcbject ofthe invention to ymake the setting `andresetting yprocedure-:so simple as to require atively connected' to the, tuner, which indexing means-.rotate ona given axis, and -a plurality of. second indexing -means V.operatively .connected with the .rst ,plurality of .indexing means, the second ,plurality oi?` ,indexing means bei-ng locatedtoonesideot said axis. Each .of .the.de,.

` tent means isadapted fior-positive lockingf enf` lgagement with the .corresponding first-indexing means, and the corresponding second indexing'- means serves. to. prevent .such engagement .duri-ng rotation of the .-rst indexing means except when .the rst indexing ,means is in that oneol' its series. ofl Arotations .inwhich the corresponding selected Station lies.

The .above and other objects and advantages oimy` invention .will be apparentin the `followimg detailed .description taken with `.the accolil:V panyinadrawings..

In the drawings, which are to be regarded.asV merely illustrative:

Fig.1 Y isa perspective View of a 'control ,unit embodying theyreferred practice 4of my. invene tion;I

Fig., 2 isfa longitudinal vertical section of the device shown in Fig; .1

Fiel-` v3 isa .transverse section taken as. .iodicated by the line 3-.e3 cf.Fig. 2:

Flg 4 isa` sigleV elevation .ofthedevice witha portion ofthe .Wall .broken-.away to reveal. the mhanm.; f

Fig. 5 Yis a plan view o fthemechanism with the casing shovm in sec,.tif. ri,;U

.Figo is l.a ,Wiring diagram .of the electrical par; relgllllm Fig. 'i is ,a sectioneaken- .as .indicated vby the.

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are diagrammatic views showing parts of the mechanism at different stages in the cycle of operations;

Fig. 1l is a sectional view similar to Fig. 7, indicating how a portion of the mechanism may be modified; and

Fig. 12 is a section taken as indicated by the line I2-I2 of Fig.11.

General arrangement For clarity of illustration the drawings show a preferred embodiment of the invention constructed for automatic tuning to only four stations, but it is to be understood that the control may be extended to any number of stations. For example, the device may cover thirteen or more stations. As best shown in Fig. l, the device may be housed in a Suitable casing, generally.

designated C, which casing may in turnbe largely enclosed by the housing of a tuner with which it cooperates.

The plurality of first indexing means is in the form of a plurality of discs 2li. mounted on what may be termed a rst shaft 2| for rotation therewith. The first shaft 2l is to be connected to a tuner control or operating member (not shown) that rotates through, say, 3600o in covering a complete tuning range including several stations selected for automatic control. Preferably the iirst shaft 2l is directly connected to the tuner member so that the shaft and the iirst inw dexing discs thereon will rotate through the same range of 3600, each of the indexing discs going through ten complete rotations to cover the complete range. Each of the discs 2E! is provided with a, suitable peripheral indexing notch or recess 22, which is preferably formed with converging sides and an enlarged bottom or inner end, as best shown in Fig. 9.

Corresponding to the plurality oi discs 2U is a plurality of detent means, each of which, in the present construction, comprises a detent member and an associated control member 2E, Each detent member 25 is in the form of a lever having a detent tooth 21 on one end for engagement with the indexing notch 22 of the corresponding disc 20 and having a detent tooth 28 on its other end.

The plurality of first indexing means or discs 2li is operatively connected to a second plurality ci indexing means for movement simultaneously therewith. Rotary movement on the part of the second indexing means is preferred over rectalinear movement. and it is further preferred that the two pluralities of indexing means be opera,- tively interconnected through reduction gearing to shorten the range of movement of the second indexing means. In the present construction the plurality of sec ond indexing means may comprise a plurality of discs 30, mounted on a second shaft 3! for rotation therewith, the two shafts being operatively interconnected by suitable gears. Each of the second indexing means or discs rotates through a number of Zones or positions, each of which zones or positions represents a fraction of the range of movement of the corresponding first indexing means 2Q, which fraction is not greater than one complete rotation of the rst indexing means and preferably is much less. The underlying relationship may be approached from a somewhat dierent viewpoint by regarding each of the second indexing means 3B as divided into portions or zones each of which is moved into register with the corresponding detent tooth 28 whenever the corresponding iii-st indexing disc 20 rotates into a fraction of the 3600 range that includes the corresponding station of the tuner.

On each of the second indexing discs 3U such a portion or zone corresponding to a fraction of the total range is represented by a relatively wide indexing notch or recess 32 to receive the correspending detent tooth 28.

Prior to operation of the device to automatically tune in a given station the detent member 25 corresponding to the station will normally be in a retracted position with the detent tooth 21 completely withdrawn from the corresponding disc l2li and the detent tooth 23 likewise completely withdrawn from the corresponding indexing disc 3o, this position of the detent member being indicated in Fig. 2. It will be noted in Fig. 2 that the corresponding control member 26 is likewise in an upper or normally retracted position.

To cause the device to operate for automatically tuning in the desired station the corresponding control member 26 is depressed for movement to its effective position, which effective position is shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10. A suitable latch holds the control member depressed. This movement of the control member causes the detent member 25 to move to an intermediate position shown in Fig. 8, at which position a spring 33 urges the detent tooth 28 against the periphery of the corresponding disc 3B, the tooth being out of register with the corresponding index notch 32. In eiect the disc 33 blocks rotation of the detent member 25 into engagement with the corresponding disc 2li.

The depressing of the control member 26 and the consequent movement of the corersponding detent member 25 from its retracted position to its intermediate position causes a reversible motor to be energized for rotation of the two discs 2li and 30, with corresponding rotation of the rst shaft 2| for changing the setting of the tuner. For example, the iirst shaft 2l and the disc 2D may rotate counterclockwise as viewed in Fig. 8, the corresponding rotation oi the second shaft 3| and disc 3G being also counterclockwise.

Since the detent tooth 21 is out of range of the disc 20 that represents the given station, the disc 20 is free to rotate as many times as necessary to reach that fraction of the 3600 in which the given station lies. When that fraction is approached in the rotation of the disc 20, the corresponding disc 30 reaches the position shown in Fig. 9, whereupon the detent tooth 2B drops into the index notch 32. The detent member is now in a second intermediate position which may be termed a position effective for engagement with the corresponding disc 2i). As soon as the index notch 22 on the disc 2i! reaches the position shown in Fig. 10, the detent tooth 27 is urged into the notch by the spring 33 to bring the mechanism to a halt. The detent member 25 is then in what may be termed its engaged position, and is maintained in this engaged position to immobilize the mechanism in a positive manner. The motor circuit is, of course, deenergized in response to movement of the detent member 25 to the eective position.

The two plm-alitz'es of indexing means As best shown in Fig. '7, the first shaft 2| is journaled at one end in the wall of the casing C and at the other end is surrounded by a sleeve '3 5 that is journaled in the casing. The indexing discs 2i) having the index notches 2,2 are freely rotatable on the first shaft 2l but alternate with lthere-on1loy 'a :suitablel pin 45.

a series'.A of plates.- ixthatare slidlnglyrbut non irotatably.fmountcd on :the shaft: reach :disc rlying ted onthe.othensidefloy theenlarged vinnerencl 4M-e-fof-.the prevouslymentioned sleeve V35i. The .position `of thesleeve isoontrolled fbyysuitable means, suchas van eccentricmemberAZ, on ythe i endof-i'the shaft/2:1. Theeccentric memberAZ, -whichihaspa small handle `portion .43, v strafcldles the fend oit-the; shaftY i2 Irzand. is'pivotal'ly mounted When the Afha-ndle portion '43 is. substantially.parallel with the cas, ing 1C; aashown yin Fissa-1 .and 7., 'the eccentric :member-42 acting against; the. outer .fend ofthe sleeve 35,1s urges .the V*sleeve againstfthe plurality klofi: plates 36. thereby cooperating withy .the :split .washer.4.,to.np1aee thev plateszunder :thefsufcient pressure to unify the discs 2D Withntheshaft.

When the handle portion 43 is swung outward to its release positionyfindicated in dotted lines in Figa, .thesleeve .35 is permitted toretract to a.s1ight..extent .to greatly A.lessen :the Apressure across `atheplurahty of. plates `35. Preferably the pressure vis .not relieved entirely, the lessened pressure, being .-greatenough to, cause each `of the discsZll to follow therotationof rthe shaft v2l in the alosenceY of .opposition butbeing small enough topermit each of the vdiscsto be rotatively ad.- jus'ted on the shaft. Since each of thediscs V'23. is isolated .by the A.two adjaeentplates .36,the adjustmentof rotatonisnot .transmitted to the otherdiscs. vTo providethedesired lessened Apres-.- sure at .the release position .of :the eccentric mem`- ber 42 I may employ na suitablespring washerfll housed in an Vannular recess-41 1in theenlarged inner endfof the vsleeve 35.. Whenthesleeve `35 is.permitted to retract from. the pluraltyof .plates .by the .release-movement ofthe eccentric memberl, the spring; washer 46, .acting against attached Ito Vone .of vthe plates ,.36 vby suitable .screws 50. Asbest. shown-in Figsml and .7; the

. ringA isexposed-through a slot `linthe cas,-

ing .Cf for manual. manipulation.

The 4discs 3m-comprising the second `plurality ofaindexing meanseare .mounted v,on the second shaft Stwith a second yplurality-.of plates, .5.2. oorresponding Ato kthe plates .'36 on the.rst...shaft.

Asc-best shown .in Fig. gear 53 keyed to -the .1.:

is Qz'relatively large @diameter :to :carry :a .epnt

.spring to Iprovide a yielding .action .and .to avoid Y damaaewhenthe pin l.60 .is inadvertently forced .past .the arm in the .course ofrnanualtuning.

The driving mechanismV The-two `shafts are .actuated by a .suitable lre-- versiblemotor 65..)(Fig-53) having a vshaft 6B that is axially movable n.response to energizsation anddeenergization .of the motor. When the motor yeneigzeri the shaft. 66 shifts axially inward toward the` motor 4from the. retracted position of .theshaftshown in Fig. 3, and when the motor is deenergized the shaft returns to its .retracted .position This action .of the. .shait'is .employed to operate a clutch .Oi .automatically .conneotingand disconnecting .the motor.

.As best shown in Figs. 3 and Li, `a .clutch,mem.

berl,.leyed to the ,outer .end `of the shaft, has two inwardly directed fingers. .6.8 ,for cooperation with a/second .clutch member 1G .having a .pair of-.radiainngers 1|. The clutch. member 10 is ,integral-.witha cylindrical .gear 12 that is .rotate ably mounted onthe motor .shaft 66.. Itis ap.- -parent that .energzation of the .motor .6.5 will causethe clutch `rnernloer 6,1 .to .loeshifted infY wardly .to brinethe. .fingers Et into engagement with theeiineers .7l for driving tneovlindrical .g ar'l.".V

Theiollowing train-,0f .gears operatively inter.- oonnects .the Cylindrical -gearflZ .with the 31'51" shaft 2|.; gear .'13v in ,meshwith cylindrioalgear ,iztfsmall gear .l5 inteeralwitngear 13.7;gear 16 in mesh with smallgear 15;.,gear ,11..integra1 with gear .-.Tiyand gear 155 in rnesh .Withvgear Tl. .Gear 'i8 tiskeyed.to.thedirst Vshaft 2l, .and is locked .against -.aXial.. movement by a .suitable split washer. .811...

The .first shaft 2| is `operatively connected to the second shaft 3l by the following .train of gears: a smallcylindrical gear 8| integral with the.prevo1isly mentionedgear 4Ti on the first shaftzl alarga gear 82 in meshwith gear 81|.: and.a.sxna11ergear83 integral with the gear 82, the..gear.83.`bene in ,meshwith the previouslsr mentioned .gear '53 .Onpthe second shaft 31|.

It isapparentthat energization of the motor Edwin-.rotate the rst shaft? l, and, by virtue of the,. describedreduetion gearing, will rotate the second shaftilat reducedspeed.

Pre'erabIythe.reduction gearing interconnecting the two shafts issnch that therstshaft 2j wi1lrotatethrongh .approximately 1.0.6 rotations fononerotation of the second shaft 31.

Detent means 'The detent,members 25 and the controlmembersfia' are mounted alternately, on a fixed shaft 85, one end of Awhich issupported by the casing C and the other end of which is supported by a. standard `86 indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 4. Each -offthe detent members 2 5 is formed With'a smallrear S1 vfor connection to one end ofthe corresponding rspringA 33,'the other end of the spring being connected vto l'the corresponding control member r26'. l

'Each' of'-the-'control members 126 is 'of angula conguration in prole, as bests'hown'in'Fig. 2, and is for-med at its outer end intera push button t8 "for @manual operation. of the control members 25'is provided with a finger 90 vthat tendsfinto vthe path or-rotaticnzor thecorresponds ing datent member? 5 tov limit .the degree to ywliioh .de-.tent Athember :he rotated by the cori responding-emmen. v

Suitable latch means is provided for releasably retaining the control members 26 in their lower or eiective positions. For this purpose each of the control members 26 is out away on its under side to provide a latch shoulder 9| for engagement by a latch plate 92. The latch plate 92 extends across the entire series of control members 26 and is carried by a suitable latch shaft 93. On one end of the shaft 93 is keyed an arm 95. A suitable spring S, attached at one end to the arm 95 and suitably anchored at its other end V,to the casing C, continually tends to rotate the shaft 93 in a direction to swing the latch plate 92 upward against the plurality of control members 26.

Normally a control member 26 is held in its upper retracted position by a suitable spring 91 that is connected at its lower end to the control member and is anchored at its upper end to a iixed rod 93. When the push button 88 at the end of the control member 255 is depressed', the latch shoulder 9| swings in an arc against the latch plate 92, thereby forcing the latch plate to swing downward with consequent rotation of the latch shaft 93 against the resistance of the spring 9S. When the latch shoulder 9| clears the edge of the latch plate the latter moves upward into latching position so that the control member remains in its lower effective position when released by the operator. At the upper retracted position of the control member 26 the iinger 90 is effective to hold the corresponding detent member 25 in its retracted position shown in Fig. 2, but shifting the control member to its lower effective position causes corresponding shift of the linger 90 to release the detent member to the intermediate position shown in Fig. 8 and the freedom of movemnt permitted by the new position of the ringer 80 permits the control member to subsequently shift to the positions shown in Figs. 9 and 10 in 1.

sequence.

At the end of the cycle of indexing operation initiated by the depressing of a push button 88 the control member 2S remains latched in its lower eifective position. The subsequent depression of a second push button by the operator for tuning in a different station causes the latch shoulder 9| of a second control member to swing downward .in an arc against the latch plate 92, with consequent release of the first control member for retraction by its spring 9'! before its second control member reaches the point at which it becomes automatically latched.

Usually a latched control member 25 is released automatically in response to the latching of a second control member as described above. It is apparent, however, that the second control member may be depressed only sufficiently to unlatch the rst control member and then may be released so that both control members will be returned to their upper retracted positions by their respective springs 9?. Thus while normally one of the plurality of detent members 25 will be in a position locking the mechanism, it is possible to have all of 'the detent members in their retracted positions when it is desired to manually tune in some station other than the station selected for automatic tuning It is desirable to have some means for swinging the latch plate 92 to its release position independently of the control members 26. It is further desirable to have such an independent release means become effective automatically whenever the operator undertakes to tune in a station manually. In the present construction I provide a slide bar |50 for movement against the arm 95 to swing the latch plate 92 to its release position. The slide bar |00 has a longitudinal slot IOI by means of which it is slidingly mounted on two spaced studs |02, as may be understood by referring to Figs. 2 and 5. The outer end of the slide bar |00 is bent to form a handle |03.

The manner in which the indexing mechanism may be completely unlatched in response to manual manipulation for tuning in a station may be understood by reference to Fig. 2. A shaft |05, having a knob |05 for manual manipulation, is rotatably and slidably mounted in a support |01 and is normally held in an outer ineffective position by a spring |638 in compression between the knob and the support. The outward movement of the shaft |25 is limited by a gear ||0 that is keyed to the inner end of the shaft. Inward from the normally retracted position of the gear II@ is a complementary gear III which is connected by suitable means (not shown) with either the iirst shaft 2| or the tuning member that is normally actuated by the shaft 2|. When the operator pushes the knob 96 inward to bring the gear I Ill into mesh with the gear II I for manual tuning, the inner end of the shaft |05 moves against the handle |33 to shift the slide bar |00 for causing the latch plate 92 to be swung to its release position.

Motor control The wiring diagram in Fig. 6 shows the preferred electrical arrangement for controlling the motor e5. Energization of the motor through leads II2 and i3 is controlled by a switch II5. Shunt wires I if?, and Ill connect the leads I|2 and I Iii with the reversing switch 63 and the field coils of the motor. The construction of the preferred form of the control switch I I5 will now be described.

As best shown in Figs. 2 and '7, the control switch II 5 may comprise two spaced flexible arms |20 and |2I, insulated by suitable spacer blocks 22 and anchored by a suitable screw |23. The two switch arms I2@ and |2| are provided with small contacts |25 which close the motor circuit when brought together. The upper switch arm |2Ii is bent at its free end, as shown in Fig. 2, so that the oifset end |25 of a control arm I2? may be placed between the ends of the two switch arms |28 and |2I.

The control switch IIE is biased to its closed position, that is to say, the two switch arms |20 and I2| tend to hold the two contacts |25 together for closing the motor circuit. The offset end |26 of the switch arm has suitable insulation I 2?- for contact with the two switch arms.

The control arm I2'I is mounted on a rocker shaft 33t to which is keyed an upwardly extending rocker arm IBI. A suitable rod |32 1s mounted in the end of the rocker arm 3| in a position extending along the plurality of detent members 25, as best shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

When none of the control members 26 1s latched in its lower effective position a spring |33, connected to the rocker arm I3I, causes the offset end |22 of the control arm I2? to depress the lower switch arm I2I, as shown in Fig. 2, for holding the two contacts |25 apart. When a push button Se is depressed to latch a control member in its lower effective position, the consequent movement of the corresponding detent member 25 to the intermediate position shown'ln Fig. 8 causes suiicient counterclockwise movement of the rocker arm |3I, as viewed in Fig. 2;

estesie to the loffse't'end |250? the control arm tov 'an intermediate" position; thereby permitting` the' lower switch arm' I2 tof' flex upward# for closing of'the' motor circuit'. When the detent member 25" movesfto thepo's'itionshown in Fig. 9, the ofis'et end`|2i ofthe control arm I2? lifts slightly but 'not-enough to Aaffect'- the control switch; but Whenthe-detent member swings tothe nal lock ing` position'shown in Fig. 10, the consequent upward movement ofthe oiset end |25' of the control arm lifts'the free end of the "upper switch arm-|20 suillcientlyl to openV the motor circuit.

'It is apparentv that' in? the normal operation ol the indexingV device,` in which oneof the control member isalwaysi latched", the onset end IZfiA of thel control armZlv will alternate'between an intermediate position atV which theV control switch I I'is closed' and an' upper position holding the control vswitch open; `Whenever all of the control members 26'are unlatched`l to'return to their upper retracted 'positionsj the offset-end |26 of the'conn trol'arm willv take its -lowerposition to hold the control switch open;

'-"The modz'catz'on'show'n in Figs. 11 and 12 These two` gures show an alternate arrangementthat may be employed for frictionally uniti-ngthe pluralityy of. indexing mem-bers on one ofthetwo shaitsf forfexam-ple the shaft 2|.

The shaft y2 Iain Figs. 11 and 12, corresponding. to .theshaft 2| rin Fig. 7, carries the usual plura-lity` of indexing discs 2t alternating withthe associated plurality of plates 36. One end of the assemblage of discs and. plates abuts against a split Washer I35,andfthe other end is in contact with meansto placethe assemblage under pressureby a wedging action.

-The pressure applying means comprises a wedgefmemberin. the form of a convex disc Idil xedto the shaft 2W, an-intermediate pair of radially movable wedge members Id I, and a floating` wedge member lin the form of a second con- Vex disc |42. Each wedge member |4| `is of semiclrcular configuration in prole, as `indicated in Fig. 2. The ixed wedge member Idil is anchored to the shaftill'`A by a suitable pin M3 extending vdiametrically throughv thel shaft.

I The intermediateradially movable Wedge members IM are spaced-apart, as indicated in lig.\12,V and may bey drawn together with-the required force byA af suitable screw |45. The` screw |45 extends through a smooth bore |46 in one of the wedgev members MI, extends through a smoothl diametrical bore |41 in the shaft 2|a, and is` threaded into the: other radial wedge member. Itis-apparent thatV tightening: the screw |45 4to expand the` wedge assembly will frictionally lock the assemblage of discsI and plates together and that 'the screw may be loosened sufficiently to permit anyone of the discs to be rotatably adxjusted independently of the other discs;

Operation 'The m'a'n'n'er in which the indexing device' orer'ates''may'v be 'readily understood from the foregoing" description'. Let'it be assumed that all of 'theoper'ating members 2% are in their upper meting teitsfupperfpesition.

reet" eY 'position '.to- -iepeatlthe' operating' cycle. rit-fthe Ver1-cl orf tneiop'e ating cycle tneamotorn will bei de'erl'ergizedJ by the'flr'eturn .of 4the -ofiset endt' oi tneientroll'a'rm I2? toi its upper' Igi'osition,A l=Vll1'eneve isf-necessary'- to makeany change or arliustmentlm .thet operating: cycle'1 controlled: :bya-nyionelor the p'nslrbutton's; olnly a simple-procedureisi required. f The ipush'buttonl is depressed to.causen-tneioperating.- 1 cycle tobeA completed;` Eat the end oifwhichi the corresponding detentmemb'e'r125'. is infthe'flock-ingy position shown'in Fig. 10. The handle portions Wandy 5e ofthe eccentric members lli and 53,r respectively.y arci then moved ontward-toltheir release positionsfso that the 'two shafts lZt-and 3| niayf=be'rotated, while the two correspondingfindexin'g Vdiscs 2 vand; 3 are held against Yrotation .by'-the 'correspendingy detent member J25. y The operator` theni manipulates the lenn'rled-.ringi "48 ltotunedn the requiredstation with cdnsequentlrotati'onof: the twoV shaftsZ I andi 2|'.y

5 fIt'is' necessary :to:`r e'nd-v the adjustment proce-r dure withrv 'the ld'etent' t'oeth.r 281' spaced from vbeth thes'enlil:l w'a'lls -o'fthef'corr'esponding vindexing notch 2f2kt61ll'o'w forfbaclela'sh since 1an .operating .cycle l'eith'eri-dir-'eotii'm''ol rotation 'oi-the' it;` T0 insure proper positioning isc'i @2% wltli'respect-'tothe' detent tooth`- 282it`-1s merely iieces'sarfto use 'the knurle ring toUr'otate'? the-shaft 3 I slightly; 'inv both directionsY freni the'L 'exact-tum gpoint prior to f irictiona-llyv locking-the disc``2|l. "-'fWhethetwo'eccentric members 2" 'and "58? vare freturned' to their normal positions thefdevifce-tis restored to normal operating condition.

`Th description' in' specific 'detail or a-preierred erribodirr'ient;` Tof-V thiveti'onfor the purpose'jof dis' :1osnreand t'illustrate? the'I principles involved will -s'u'ggest ftd 'f those' skilled in' *the 'art various chai.1`g"es'-v an' siibstituliions's within'the scope' 'off my' appended claims.'

I claim:

1. In an indexing device for positioning a rotary member selectively at a plurality of stations of rotation over an extensive range of several rotations of the member independently of a manual control for the rotary member, a plurality of first indexing means corresponding to said plurality of stations, said indexing means being interconnected for rotation in unison, means for operatively connecting said plurality of first indexing means with said member for rotation of the indexing means through a plurality of rotary positions corresponding to said stations, a plurality of detent means corresponding to said plurality of stations, each of said detent means being movable from a normally retracted position to an effective position for engaging the corresponding first indexing means to stop rotation of said member at the station corresponding to the first indexing means, means to move said detent means selectively to their effective positions, said detent means being biased to their retracted positions, latch means common to all of said detent means to .automatically latch the detent means at their effective positions, said latch means being releasable in response to movement of any one of said detent means to an intermediate position, means to move said detent means selectively to their effective positions, means to release said latch means in response to manipulation of said control member for manual rotation of said rotary member, a plurality of second indexing means to correspond to said plurality of stations, said second indexing means being interconnected for movement in unison, each of said second indexing means being adapted to prevent movement of the corresponding detent means to its eective position When the second indexing means is out of a given position, means operatively connecting said plurality of second indexing means with said plurality of first indexing means for simultaneous movement, and means to actuate said two pluralities of indexing means for shifting said member from one of said stations to another.

2. In an indexing device for positioning a rotary shaft selectively at a plurality of stations of rotation over an extensive range of several rotations of the shaft, a plurality of first indexing means corresponding to said plurality of stations, said indexing means being interconnected for rotation in unison at dierent relative positions of rotation, means for operatively connecting said plurality of first indexing means with said shaft for rotation of the indexing means through a plurality of rotary positions corresponding to said stations, a plurality of pivotally mounted detent members corresponding to said plurality of stations, a plurality of pivotally mounted control members corresponding to said plurality of detent members, means interconnecting the corresponding pairs of said members to cause said detent members to move in response to movements of said control members, means for each corresponding pair of said members to normally hold said members in a retracted pivotal position, each of said control members being pivotable to a Station selective position to pivot the corresponding detent members to an effective position for engaging the corresponding first indexing means to stop rotation of the plurality of first indexing means thereby to stop rotation of said shaft at the corresponding station, a plurality of second indexing means corresponding to said plurality of stations, said second indexing means being interconnected for movement in unison, each of said second indexing means being effective to prevent engagement of the corresponding detent members with the corresponding nrst indexing means when said first indexing means is out of the portion of its range of movement corresponding to the respective station, means operatively connecting said plurality of second indexing means with said plurality of first indexing means for simultaneous movement, and means to actuate said two pluralities of indexing means for shifting'said shaft from one of said stations to another.

3. In an indexing device for positioning a rotary shaft selectively at a plurality of stations of rotation over an extensive range oi several rotations of the shaft, a plurality of rst indexing means corresponding to said plurality of stations, said indexing means being interconnected for rotation in unison at different relative positions of rotation, means for operatively connecting said plurality of first indexing means with said shaft Yfor rotation of the indexing means through a plurality of rotary positions corresponding to said stations, a plurality of pivotally mounted detent members corresponding to said plurality of stations, a plurality of pivotally mounted control members corresponding to said plurality of detent members, means interconnecting the corresponding pairs of said members to cause said detent members to move in response to movements of said control members, means for each corresponding pair of said members to normally hold said members in a retracted pivotal position, each of said control members being pivotable to a station selective position to pivot the corresponding detent members to an effective position for engaging the corresponding rst indexing means to stop rotation of the plurality of rst indexing means thereby to stop rotation of said shaft at the corresponding station, a plurality of second indexing means corresponding to said plurality of stations, said second indexing means being interconnected for movement in unison, each of said second indexing means being eiective to prevent engagement of the corresponding detent members with the corresponding first indexing means when said first indexing means is out of the portion of its range of movement corresponding to the respective station, means operatively connecting said plurality of second indexing means with said plurality of first indexing means for simultaneous movement, means to actuate said two pluralities of indexing means for shifting said shaft from one of said stations to another, and latch means to releasably hold said control members in the station selective position.

4. In an indexing device for positioning a rotary member selectively at a plurality of stations of rotation over an extensive range of several rotations of the member, a plurality of first indexing means corresponding to said plurality of stations, said indexing means being interconnected for rotation in unison at diierent relative positions of rotation, means for operatively connecting said plurality of iirst indexing means with said member for rotation of the indexing means through Ya plurality of rotary positions corresponding to said stations, a plurality of detent members corresponding to said plurality of stations, each of said detent members being movable from a normally retracted position to an eiective position for engaging the corresponding first indexing means to stop rotation of the plurality of first indexing means thereby to stop rotation of said rotary member at the station corresponding to the rst indexing means, a plurality of control tions;A eachbeingmovable from a retracted position to a position effective'tourge the correspondingdetent members to its effective position, a plurality of second indexing means corresponding to said plurality of'stations, said seco-nd indexing means-'being interconnected for movement in unison, each of said second indexing means being effective to prevent engagement of the corresponding detent members with the corresponding rst indexingrneans when said first indexing means isfout off'the portion of its range of movement corresponding to the respective station, meansoperatively connecting saidpluifalityof second indexing means with said plurality of first indexing means fer simultaneous movement, means tov actn ate` said two pluralities of indexing means for shifting said rotary member from one of said stations to another, and a latch means common to all of said control members for holding the control members in their effective positions, said latch means being releasable in response to movement of any one control member to a position short of its eecti'v'e position whereby moving any one control member to its effective position for latching at the effective position automatically releases a previously latched control member.

5. In an indexing device for positioning a rotary member selectively at a plurality of stations of rotation over an extensive range of several rotations of the member, a plurality of rst indexing means corresponding to said plur-ality of stations, said indexing means being interconnected for rotation in unison at different relative positions of rotation, means for operatively connecting said plurality of first indexing means with said member for rotation of the indexing means through a plurality f rotary positions corresponding to said stations, a plurality of detent members corresponding to said plurality of stations, each of said detent members being movable from a normally retracted position to an effective position for engaging the corresponding first indexing means to stop rotation of the plurality of first indexing means thereby to stop rotation of said rotary member at the station corresponding to the iirst indexing means, a plurality of control members corresponding to said plurality of stations each being movable from a retracted position to a position effective to urge the corresponding detent members to its effective position, a plurality of second indexing means corresponding to said plurality of stations, said second indexing means being interconnected for movement in unison, each of said second indexing means being effective to prevent engagement of the corresponding detent members with the corresponding rst indexing means when said iirst indexing means is out of the portion of its range of movement corresponding to the respective station, means operatively connecting said plurality of second indexing means with said plurality of rst indexing means for simultaneous movement, means to actuate said two pluralities of indexing means for shifting said rotary member from one of said stations to another, a latch means common to all of said control members for holding the control members in their effective positions, said latch means being releasable in response to movement of any one control member to a position short of its effective position whereby moving any one control member to its effective position for latching -automatically releases a previously latched control member, and

rsjerrespoeing te saitpiuraiityofisra:

essaierai meins to move andinas-means to fei'eas'e* position' independently" of said'` control means;

6; In" an" indexing' device for positioning' a rdtary shaft selectively at a plurality of stationsfof rotation over an extensive Vrange of several rotations" of the shaft, av plurality" of' first index'gf means' corresponding to 'said plurality of "stations,

said'fifrdexmg means v being' intereennetedfrer rotation in unison at diferent'relative positions of?" rotation', vmeansfor' operatively connecting vsaidv plurality of firsty indexing means with saidshaft forfrotationN ef the indexing 'means' through aj pluralityof rotary'v positions corresponding toi s idl stations, a' plurality of pivotally'mouiited detent r" members corresponding to' said" plurality" ofsta'- tions, a plurality of'piv'otally mounted con members corresponding to said plurality ofd'eteritmembers, means interconnecting me cerfresponding pairs" of said' members" to" cause said detent members to move in response to movements of said control members, means for each corresponding pair of members to normally hold said members in a retracted pivotal position, each of said control members being pivotable to a station selective position to pivot the corresponding detent members from a retracted position through an ineffective intermediate position to a position for engaging the corresponding first indexing means to stop rotation of the plurality of first indexing means thereby to stop rotation of said shaft at the corresponding station, a plurality of second indexing means corresponding to said plurality of stations, said second indexing means being interconnected for movement in unison,

f each of said second indexing means being effective to block the corresponding detent members at the intermediate position when said first indexing means is out of the portion of its range of movement corresponding to the respective station, means operatively connecting said plurality of second indexing means with said plurality of' iirst indexing means for simultaneous movementr an electric motor for rotating said shaft, a switch to control the energization of said motor, and. means to close said switch when said detent member is moved to said intermediate position and to open said switch when said detent member is moved into the effective position.

7. In an indexing device for positioning a rotary shaft selectively at a plurality of stations of rotation over an extensive range of several rotations of the shaft, a plurality of rst indexing means corresponding to said plurality of stations, said indexing means being interconnected for rotation in unison at different relative positions of rotation, means for operatively connecting said plurality of iirst indexing means with said shaft for rotation of the indexing means through a plurality of rotary positions corresponding to said stations, a plurality of pivotally mounted detent members corresponding to said plurality of stations, a plurality of pivotally mounted control members corresponding to said plurality of detent members, means urging said control members into a retracted position, means interconnecting each corresponding pair of said members to hold said detent member in a retracted position when said control member is in the retracted position, each of said control members being pivotable to a station selective position, means to move said detent member into an intermediate position in response to the movement of the corresponding control member into a station selective -position and to urge said detent member into an effective position, a plurality of sec- 15 nd indexing means corresponding to said plurality of stations, said second indexing means being interconnected for movement in unison, each of said `second indexing means being effective to block tl'ie corresponding detent member in the intermediate position when said rst indexing means is out` of the portion of its range of Inovement corresponding to the respective station, said second indexing means being recessed to unblock thecorresponding detent member when said rst indexing means is in the portion of its range corresponding to the respective station whereby the detent member is eiectve for engaging the corresponding rst indexing means to stop rotation of the plurality of first indexing means to stop rotation of said shaft at the corresponding station, means operatively connecting said plurality of second indexing means with said piurality of rst indexing means for simultaneous movement, and means to actuate said two p1u-l ralities of indexing means for shifting said shaft from one of said stations to another.

MERLE D. TYLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,704,754 Marvin Mar. 12, 1929 2,153,865 Geisch Apr. 11, 1939 2,214,785 Wells Sept. 17, 1940 2,285,414 Collins June 9, 1942 2,334,724 Paessler Nov. 23, 1943 2,391,470 May Dec. 25, 1945 2,413,211 Brian Dec. 24, 1946 

